FOX SPORTS NFL POWER RANKINGS

The 49ers are in line to win their straight third division title, but it will be interesting to see if Colin Kaepernick can stay healthy for 16 games. He has the arm and capability to win from the pocket and will need to stay there more often.

The Broncos were my favorite to win the AFC even before adding Wes Welker. The loss of Elvis Dumervil and the suspension of Von Miller are painful, but Shaun Phillips can plug the leak and the Broncos shouldn't have any issues winning shootouts.

The rich got richer with the additions Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril but they could have been even better with a healthy Percy Harvin. Russell Wilson set the bar pretty high as a rookie, and he will need to be every bit as good to compete with San Franc

The rich got richer with the additions Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril but they could have been even better with a healthy Percy Harvin. Russell Wilson set the bar pretty high as a rookie, and he will need to be every bit as good to compete with San Francisco for the division.

Matt Ryan and Mike Smith finally removed the playoff monkey from their backs and can now focus on taking this team to the next level. The addition of Steven Jackson will add yet another dimension to this already explosive offense.

It was panic mode in Baltimore during the first few days of free agency, but the signings of Dumervil and Michael Huff followed by yet another stellar draft, the Ravens fans are once again praising Ozzie Newsome.

This may be the least intimidating offense under Tom Brady in his years as a starter, but I'm guessing he still finds a way to to make this inexperienced roster of wide receivers look like All-Pros by season's end.

The best player in the NFL (Aaron Rodgers) is now also the highest paid, and he is worth every penny. Rookies Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin finally provide a steady presence in the Packers backfield.

The post-Manning era in the AFC South hasn't been as friendly to the Texans as many had predicted. The Colts are the younger and more explosive team and have already closed the gap in the division … but the door isn't shut just yet.

The Bengals won seven of their last eight regular season games and their defense allowed just 12.8 points per game during that span. The Bengals return everyone on that defense except Manny Lawson while adding James Harrison.

With the Vikings' three first-round draft picks and the addition of Greg Jennings, this team is markedly better in 2013 than the team that reached the playoffs in 2012. But they will only go as far as Christian Ponder takes them.

It is rare that a new coach inherits a 10-win team and a franchise-level quarterback, but that is exactly what Marc Trestman got in Chicago. However, the transition may not as be seamless, as Chicago goes from a team that wins with defense to one built ar

It is rare that a new coach inherits a 10-win team and a franchise-level quarterback, but that is exactly what Marc Trestman got in Chicago. However, the transition may not as be seamless, as Chicago goes from a team that wins with defense to one built around the offense.

I'm not sure if the Colts got any better this offseason, so it will be interesting to see how they live up to the expectations after a surprising 2012. It may be a couple steps back before moving forward in Indianapolis.

The Rams have shown they are willing to take risks on players with off-the-field concerns in the draft, and if those players stay clean they will have a solid foundation for Jeff Fisher to continue to build. For their sake, I hope it works out.

Unlike the Rams, the Giants rarely ever take a risk and target only high-character guys in free agency and the draft. Rather than swinging for the fences and often times striking out, the Giants just go after solid singles and doubles.

Sean Payton's return cannot be overstated, but this team has just too many problems on defense … including the loss of Will Smith for the entire season after blowing out his knee in the third preseason game.

Much like the Redskins, the Cowboys were handcuffed with cap issues in free agency and then had a highly questionable draft. But if we know anything, we know that the NFC East is way too unpredictable to guess how it will turn out.

Just like the Ravens, the Steelers have had their roster depleted with cap casualties and free agency departures, but unlike the Ravens, the Steelers have done little to fill the voids and plan for the future. It could be a long year in Pittsburgh.

Darrelle Revis is an obvious upgrade to an absolutely atrocious secondary from a season ago. But this is a quarterback-driven league and it's time for Josh Freeman to play up to the potential he showed as a second-year player.

With this offensive line, C2JK may actually live up to his moniker but Jake Locker will still struggle unless they use all of his athletic ability. The Titans offense needs to look very similar to the Seahawks for them to be successful.

The Eagles lost 11 of their last 12 games and missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season, but that means nothing to new head coach Chip Kelly. He will try and bring his explosive uptempo offense into the NFL, and only time will tell how success

The Eagles lost 11 of their last 12 games and missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season, but that means nothing to new head coach Chip Kelly. He will try and bring his explosive uptempo offense into the NFL, and only time will tell how successful it will be.

The Browns got better as soon as they reached agreements with Norv Turner and Ray Horton. The two may be the best coordinator tandem in all of the NFL, but that doesn't mean the Browns will be any more competitive in the division this season.

The Dolphins made some high-profile additions in free agency, but they are big risk/big reward type signings due to limited amount of experience. I'm not sure the additions make much of a difference in terms of wins and losses this season.

The Bills took a flier on E.J. Manuel but I have equated his athletic upside to Steve McNair. If they can get that type of play from the first QB selected in the 2013 NFL Draft then they got him for a steal.

The Panthers won their final four games of the season and ended the 2012 campaign by putting up 44 points, good for their fifth-best scoring effort in team history. It will be interesting to see if they can carry that momentum into 2013.

I like the partnership of QB Carson Palmer and head coach Bruce Arians and you know Larry Fitzgerald is smiling from ear to ear. But the offensive line still has some holes, especially after losing first-round draft pick Jonathan Cooper for the season.

No team has more inexperience than the Raiders at the quarterback position. Matt Flynn and Terrelle Pryor have a combined three NFL starts and a pretty unimpressive roster all around them. Another long year in Oakland.

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